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The Kingmakers
The Kingmakers

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for The Kingmakers
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.
The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.
Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.
Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.
Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Kingmakers

Chapter XI

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.
Line 2
The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.
Line 3
Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.
Line 4
Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.
Line 5
Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.”

Abraham noun US /ˈabraham/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.”

All words in this reading · 73

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

Abraham

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

benignant

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

Biblical

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

bosom

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

buzzing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

care

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

Certainly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

champagne

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

CHOICE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

consumed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

contain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

difficult

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

dinner

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

enough

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

go

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

house

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

king

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

king's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

knew

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

liberally

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

Looking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

MAKES

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

moment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

much

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

news

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

once

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

patriarch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

perhaps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

Probably

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

quiet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

reminded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

SELDEN

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

sitting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

stairs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

too

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Probably the king knew it too, but for once he did not care.

triumphant

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Looking at him sitting there triumphant and benignant, Selden was reminded of nothing so much as of some Biblical patriarch--Abraham, perhaps.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

whole

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole house was buzzing with the great news, and Selden was sure that champagne was being consumed even more liberally below stairs than above.

wide

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading SELDEN MAKES HIS CHOICE It was difficult to quiet down, after that, and go on with the dinner.

world

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly at this moment the king’s bosom seemed wide enough to contain the whole world.